old S&W revolver

[drachenboot]

years ago i bought a 22 S&W revolver with a 6" barrel. at the time i was told it is an old"5 screw" model.
What does that mean? i can not find the model number where usually S&W has it in the cylinder joint below the serial number.

can anybody shed some light on this please.
B.

[Richochet]

Pre Model 17

Sounds like you have an early pre Model 17 Smith .22 revolver. Open the cylinder and look for a model number stamped inside the armature.

You can also look up the serial number to find out he year of production.

[RocketRider]

It is probably the S&W K frame .22. Originally they called it the K22, later it became known as the Model 17. If so, it's a great gun.

The older ones had more screws than the newer models due to cost saving design efficiencies.

You may want to post a picture so we can be sure of what you have.

[shooting4life]

If it looks like this, you have a pre 17. If you look at the address and it is one line it was made before the ones that have the traditional 4 line address. Also look at the ejector rod end, the larger end is older than an end that is all the same diameter. Mine is one of the first 350 made post ww2.

[drachenboot]

thanks much for the initial replies. i will try to post a couple of pics soon though i have never done it. where do i follow up with the serial no.?
this gun is fun to shoot and quite accurate.B

[MrOrange]

I only bookmarked one page, but there's lots of good info on the S&W forum. Just add S&W forum to your search and some good threads will pop up.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/254905-k-22-outdoorsman-changes.html

Mine's Serial # 636XXX, from what I've found on that forum it's likely first year production, 1931.

Gratuitous crappy photo:

[Mr. Beretta]

thanks much for the initial replies. i will try to post a couple of pics soon though i have never done it. where do i follow up with the serial no.?
this gun is fun to shoot and quite accurate.B

You can PM me with the serial number (substitute an "X" for the last number) found on the butt of the frame.

I'll tell you as much as I can about your revolver.